How long are heats, and how many surfers go through?

Q: How long are heats, and how many surfers go through?

Under the SSA Rulebook 2025 (Sections 1 and 2): Heats are 15 to 25 minutes, usually 20 minutes; repechage heats may be 15 minutes and finals may be 25 if the Contest Director approves. Heat times are published on Liveheats. Heats have up to four surfers, or five in the first round and repechage rounds. Best two waves count. At least 50% of surfers must advance from Round 1 and from Round 3 onwards; repechage (Round 2) may advance fewer in five-surfer heats. Surfers advance into the next round seeded by their place in the previous heat. If a heat seeded for three or more surfers has only two in it, it isn't surfed; places are given from the previous round or seeding. Finals are usually four surfers with at least two waves counting (some finals may be five-surfer or one-on-one). The last contest day always includes the finals. Surf must be at least 18 inches (0.5 m) to be contestable (with an allowance on the final scheduled day). At national team events, a no-show in Round 1 is placed fourth in their heat, there are no redraws, and a reserve can replace a surfer only for a medically documented illness, with a medical certificate, no later than one hour before the first heat of that division.

Question

Accepted Answer

Under the SSA Rulebook 2025 (Sections 1 and 2):

Heats are 15 to 25 minutes, usually 20 minutes; repechage heats may be 15 minutes and finals may be 25 if the Contest Director approves. Heat times are published on Liveheats.
Heats have up to four surfers, or five in the first round and repechage rounds.
Best two waves count.
At least 50% of surfers must advance from Round 1 and from Round 3 onwards; repechage (Round 2) may advance fewer in five-surfer heats.
Surfers advance into the next round seeded by their place in the previous heat.
If a heat seeded for three or more surfers has only two in it, it isn't surfed; places are given from the previous round or seeding.
Finals are usually four surfers with at least two waves counting (some finals may be five-surfer or one-on-one). The last contest day always includes the finals.
Surf must be at least 18 inches (0.5 m) to be contestable (with an allowance on the final scheduled day).

At national team events, a no-show in Round 1 is placed fourth in their heat, there are no redraws, and a reserve can replace a surfer only for a medically documented illness, with a medical certificate, no later than one hour before the first heat of that division.